The Grab: 12.29

It really isn't Alan Pardew's holiday season as he watches Celtic snatch former Hearts captain Stephen Pressley. Does Europe really mean that much, so much that he misses out on playing in England's top flight, and a London club at that? I guess Charlton Athletic doesn't impress like it used to with Alan Curbishley at the helm, when they were always mid-table.

Chinese national team captain, defender/midfielder Zheng Zhi, has arrived at the Valley on a loan deal from Shandong Luneng, where he scored 21 goals this season and captured the Chinese footballer of the year award. Remember Djibril Cisse's nasty leg break (the latest one) against China before the World Cup? ZZ was the one who tapped the back of his shin, which resulted in an ugly injury. The 26-year old's loan deal lasts until the end of the season and he's keen to make it a permanent move. Given that the club he plays for was founded in 1998 (despite it's recent dominance in the Chinese Super League), this has to be like coming to Manchester United for the lad, much like Park Ji-Sung when he accepted Fergie's advances. [UEFA, Belfast Telegraph]

I have to admit, although I am a JT fan, half of my monobrow went up a bit when I found out how much he was earning in a new deal, but few can ignore the gaping hole his absence leaves in the Chelsea defense. We're so used to seeing this deep squad deal with knocks and injuries by substituting one high-priced world-class player with another, but could Chelsea really be in trouble? The skipper's operation was deemed a success and he could be back anywhere from 3-6 weeks, in time for the Blues' CL match against FC Porto. Haven't seen much of Joe Cole lately, either, who may be going under the knife soon. [The Soccer Weblog, ITV, Monsters and Critics]

Football365 gives Arsenal defender Kolo Toure a shout out, [Football365]

The folks at the Guardian give us their Best and Worst list from this summer's World Cup, but more importantly, more classic moments. And from the BBC, the year's best quotes from the cumulative genius of the footballing world. [Guardian Sports Blog, BBC Sport]

-bl